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7 Mind-Bending Thrillers That Will Make You Question Reality

Melissa George in “Triangle”

In case you didn’t know it, there’s a bit of controversy surrounding the theatrical release of Annihilation, the sci-fi/horror adaptation that follows Natalie Portman as a biologist/ex-soldier who ventures into a mysterious dream-like “shimmer” along with an all-female crew, led by Jennifer Jason-Leigh. The film hit theaters February 23rd.

So what exactly is happening with the film’s release? Well, due to some movie biz confusion (poor test screenings, contractual obligations, etc.) the international release rights were sold to Netflix by Paramount. What this means is that the movie is coming to Netflix a heckuva lot sooner than what’s typical.

Yay! Right? Not so fast. Luckily for international viewers, the movie is hitting Netflix this coming Monday, March 12th. As for when US (along with Chinese and Canadian) viewers will be able to Netflix-and-chill with Annihilation? That part is a bit of a mystery.

Until then? Cool your heels while checking out these equally mind-bending horror films.

Triangle — Rent or buy from $2.99 and up.

I absolutely loved this movie for many reasons, not the least of which being that the twists and turns in it are very reminiscent of an old Twilight Zone episode. That and there are images here, which have nothing to do with gore, that will stay with you for days. This movie plays with time in a way I’m willing to bet you’ve never seen done before.

Donnie Darko — Netflix

What’s great about Donnie Darko is that it will mess you up, and you’re not going to be 100% sure why. Even if you don’t love it, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it. And you can’t help but respect that.

Under the Skin — Rent or buy from $1.99 and up.

Director Brian Glazer drew comparisons to Stanley Kubrick with this, and for good reason. To call this film hypnotic and artistic would be an understatement, and not necessarily something that every viewer would agree with. Yet, I believe most will find it satisfyingly eerie.

Get Out — HBO

We’ve talked about Get Out before here, and I’m sure it will pop up again because it’s just that good. Jordan Peele not only made history with his Oscar win for Best Original Screenplay, but the film itself is one of less than a dozen horror movies to take home an Academy Award in any category.

Black Swan — Vudu

This is one of those polarizing films: either you love it, or you hate it. There is no in-between. The lead character here is experiencing what can be best described as a psychotic break, and she masterfully brings the viewers along with her on that journey.

10 Cloverfield Lane — Amazon Prime/Epix/Hulu

In 10 Cloverfield Lane, we get to see these three characters occupy the same space, become a mini-dysfunctional family (albeit with very little actual trust), and then we get to see all of that irrevocably destroyed by the reality of the situation they are in. It’s basically a thriller for people who also dig angst. Who doesn’t love the moral ambiguity that comes with just a smidgen of Stockholm syndrome?

Ex Machina — Rent or buy from $1.99 and up.

If the striking visuals and get-under-your-skin soundtrack seems familiar here, that’s because Ex Machina is from director Alex Garland, who also brought us Annihilation. This is the film that put Garland on the map, and one can only hope that he keeps making movies that keep us questioning not only reality, but our very nature.

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